capacity

IPA/kəˈpæsəti/
KK[kəpˈæsəti]IPA/kəˈpæsəti/

capacity — 名詞

  • capacitysingular
  • capacitiesplural

1. the largest amount that a place, machine, or system can hold or produce.

1.名詞B2
釋義

容量；產能

可容納或可生產的上限

the largest amount that a place, machine, or system can hold or produce.

例句

The school hall has a seating capacity of six hundred parents.

這間學校禮堂的座位容量是六百位家長。

seating capacity of + number

By noon, the freezer was at capacity with boxes of mango ice.

到了中午，冷凍庫的容量已被一箱箱芒果冰塞滿。

at capacity with + [items]

同義詞
  • volume

    focuses on physical space inside something, especially a container

  • output

    focuses only on what a person, machine, or business produces

  • room

    usually means available space rather than an official limit

文法句型

capacity of + number/amount

at/full/below capacity

用法筆記

Common with 'at', 'below', or 'of' when you talk about limits in space, energy, or output. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense measures what something can take or make, not a person's skill.

常見錯誤

❌The theater has a capacity for 800 people.
✅The theater has a capacity of 800 people.
💡use 'of' for the number a place can hold.
❌The factory is working in full capacity.
✅The factory is working at full capacity.
💡this fixed phrase normally uses 'at'.

2. the power to do, understand, or deal with something in the needed way.

2.名詞B2
釋義

能力

做事、理解或承受的本事

the power to do, understand, or deal with something in the needed way.

例句

Caleb has the capacity to stay calm during a crowded night shift.

Caleb 有能力在擁擠的夜班裡保持冷靜。

capacity to + verb

Years of care work gave Shirin a strong capacity for patience.

多年的照護工作讓 Shirin 培養出很強的耐心。

capacity for + noun

同義詞
  • ability

    the most general word for being able to do something

  • capability

    often sounds more formal and goal-focused

  • aptitude

    suggests a natural talent, especially for learning

反義詞
  • inability

    means not being able to do the thing at all

文法句型

capacity to + verb

capacity for + noun/-ing

用法筆記

Often followed by 'to' plus a verb or 'for' plus a noun such as patience or hard work. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense is about what someone can do, not the role they hold.

常見錯誤

❌She has the capacity of solve the puzzle.
✅She has the capacity to solve the puzzle.
💡use a to-infinitive after this pattern.
❌He lacks capacity on hard work.
✅He lacks the capacity for hard work.
💡use 'for' before a noun or -ing form.

3. the role or duty under which someone speaks or acts.

3.名詞C1
釋義

身分；職務

以某角色或官職行事時

the role or duty under which someone speaks or acts.

例句

When the vote ended, Christopher spoke only in his capacity as union treasurer.

投票結束後，Christopher 只是以工會財務長的身分發言。

in his capacity as + role

The mayor was speaking in an official capacity, not as a father.

市長當時是以官方身分發言，不是以父親的身分。

in an official capacity

同義詞
  • role

    the broad everyday word for the function someone has

  • function

    stresses the duty performed rather than the title

  • office

    often sounds more official or institutional

文法句型

in + someone's capacity as + role

in an official/professional/legal capacity

用法筆記

Almost always appears in the pattern 'in someone's capacity as ...' and points to the role that gives the person authority to speak or act. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about personal ability.

常見錯誤

❌I spoke in my capacity to manager.
✅I spoke in my capacity as manager.
💡this phrase normally uses 'as' before the role.